 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Prethibha A. George, MPH, AM Wasley, ScD, Beth Bell, MD, MPH, and Lyn Finelli, DrPH. Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, 404-371-5910, pgeorge@cdc.gov
Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk of acquiring hepatitis A and B and vaccination is recommended. Although acute hepatitis A and B rates are at historic lows, these diseases remain significant public health problems among MSM.
Methods: National surveillance data were analyzed to evaluate trends among MSM using cases of symptomatic acute hepatitis A and B reported to state health departments during 1990-2002. Data included demographic and risk characteristics.
Results: Hepatitis A incidence declined since 1995 and in 2002 was the lowest yet recorded (2.9/100,000 population). However, rates in adult (>20 years) male are substantially higher than those in female (4.3 versus 2.1/100,000 respectively, p <.001). The adult male to female rate ratio was 2.1 in 2002 versus 1.3 in 1992. The proportion of male cases attributed to MSM increased from 8% in 1992 to 29% in 2002. Hepatitis B incidence declined since the late 1980s and in 2002 is at a record low (2.5/100,000). However, rates in adult male are substantially higher than in females (4.3 versus 2.3/100,000 respectively, p <.001). The adult male to female rate ratio was 1.9 in 2002 versus 1.5 in 1992. The proportion of male cases attributed to MSM increased from 18% in 1992 to 26% in 2002.
Conclusions: Hepatitis A and B rates are declining nationwide, but increasing among adult men with an increasing proportion of cases in MSM. These data indicate a need to build and strengthen vaccination efforts for adults at high risk.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.